Improvement in coffins



` 2'Sheets-Sheet1. R. 3E. MGALISTBR.

Coffin.

yNo.'216,749. Patented June 24,1879.

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2` Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. B. MGALISTBR.

Coffin,

" No. 216,749. Patented June24,r1s79.

IFIVEQLR MAN-passim /JW 245 N. PETERS. PHOT0LITHOGR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. MGALISTER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COFFINS.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,749, dated June 24, 1879; application iilcd March 7', 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. MoALIs'rER, of the city and county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction and Arran gement of Coffins and Burial-Cases, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters marked thereon.

Figure l is a side elevation of a coffin with my improved corners. thereof with the lid removed and looking down into the same. Fig. 3 is a section showing the corner and the manner of attaching the same; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the metal corner, showing the strengthening-lugs. Fig. 5 is an under-side plan view. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken through the cornerpiece.

This invention is designed as an improvement on that class of burial-cases known to the trade as knockdown burial-cases, which are taken down for packing and shipping, and put up in a very few moments by means of metallic corner-pieces; and the novelty consists in the peculiar construction of the cornerpieces used in such burial-cases, whereby the use of screws to show upon the outside is avoided, and the use of screw-drivers, liable to mar the finish of the burial-case.

It also consists in the combination of the peculiarly-constructed corner-pieces and the bottom piece provided with tenen-corners, so that when the parts are put together the bottom piece or board will firmly lock the same together, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The letter A represents the lid, B the sides, and C and D the ends, of the coffin, made of Wood. E represents the metallic corner-piece, of a quadrant shape, and consists of the panel E', the outer beads, F F, perforated inner ilanges, Gr G5, and bottom ledge, I, with a recess for the passage of the corner-tenen formed on the bottom piece or board. The outer beads, in connection with the inner flanges, form the plain grooves to receive the ends of the boards forming the sides and ends of the coffin. v

' The bottom board, H, is provided at its cor- Fig. 2 is a plan view nersfour cornerswith the tenons M, (see Figs. 3 and 6,) of the shape substantially shown, to h't the segmental recess in the corner-pieces formed by the curved front wall and the connecting side and end pieces.

It will be seen that the'inner ianges, Gr G,

of the corner-pieces, to which the sides and ends are secured, extend down to near the bottom, (see Figs. 3 and 6,) but leave suffi cient space between their termination andthe bottom ledge, I, for. the introduction or passage of the corner projections or tenons M of the bottom board, which tenons are designed to lock the whole firmly together. Of course, the bottom board, H, or rather the projecting portions, rest upon the ledge or shelf 1.

The letter K represents a wood finishingblock intended to project and receive the re quired dressing to fit the lid, and is so laid in as to form a smooth and perfect bearing.

The corner-pieces E are placed on the tenons M of the bottom board, I-I, by moving them straight (in contradistinction to vertical) on the same, in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. (5, closely up to the bottom of the flanges G. The side and end pieces are then run down between the beads F and the flanges Gr to the bottom of the corner-pieces E, where they are attached to. the same by means of the inner screws, s. The bottom is then dropped down upon the ledge, closely iitting the recess or cavity formed for the same.

A cofnor burial-case of this construction can be taken down for packing or put up in a very few minutes without the least injury to the finish, as the fastening means-screws-- are on the inside, and the corner-pieces, being made in one piece, which may be highly polished and silver-plated, giving a beautiful ornamental appearance, will not be marred by Lthe use of screw-drivers. j

It will thus be seen that the objects sought are to afford a secure and stro ig fitting for the bottom board and a neat 1 ode of joining without showing the screw-heads upon the outside of the burial-case.

It is found in actual construction that the importance of this improvement is very great.

What I claim as my invention -is- 1. As an improved article of manufacture,

the corner-piece hereinbefore described, con- O and D, and the bottom board, H, having teusisting essentially of the panel E', the outer oned corners, whereby the parts, When .put t0- beads, F F, the perforated inner flanges G G, gether, are firmly locked, substantially as debotom ledge, I, and the recess immediately scribed.

above the ledge, substantially as shown and described. ROBERT E. MCALISTER.

2. In a cofn or burial-case, the combina- Attest:

tion of the corner-pieces E, constructed sub- JOHN H. REDSTONE,

stantially as described, the side and end pieces, ALBERT E. REDSTONE. 

